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International Champions Cup Preview: Real Madrid v Chelsea

Real Madrid and Chelsea contest the final of the International Champions Cup with both sides keen to end pre-season on a high.

Carlo Ancelotti had a two-year spell at Stamford Bridge and Jose Mourinho was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu until June when he returned to Chelsea.

Ancelotti guided Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title last term before heading to Madrid to succeed Mourinho and the managerial duel between the duo adds an interesting sub-plot to Wednesday's game.

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic expects that factor to add an extra bit of spice to their friendly encounter in Miami.

"At the moment there are a lot of connections between the clubs, so it will be a very interesting match, but in football there are no friendly matches," he told the club's official website.

"It will be a big test for us ahead of the new season.

"We want to start the season full of motivation and we need to stay at a high level. There are always areas in which you can improve, but at the moment we are looking good."

Real are unbeaten in pre-season but have only kept one clean sheet in their four matches.

Ancelotti has rotated his squad throughout the close-season, but one player who has started every game is Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese winger is expected to continue his ever-present run against the Premier League side.

Ronaldo is enjoying working under Ancelotti and appeared to make a sly dig at the media circus that follows predecessor Mourinho after labelling his current manager as "uncomplicated".

He said: "We're very happy with the manager.

"We're training well and working to have the best possible start to the season. He's very friendly with the players and that's good for us.

"He's uncomplicated and a great manager. We want to learn from him."

Chelsea have been indifferent in pre-season under the returning Mourinho as they have won twice in four matches but hope to end on a high ahead the start of the new campaign.

Mourinho's side beat both Milan teams 2-0 in earlier rounds of the competition to reach the final, with Madrid easing past LA Galaxy and Everton.